County invites comment on General Plan policy

Prompted by resident concerns over proposed housing developments, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors is asking the public for additional feedback. Supervisors are considering a new policy to guide evaluation of large, privately initiated developments that would require a change to the county General Plan.

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Prompted by resident concerns over proposed housing developments, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors is asking the public for additional feedback. Supervisors are considering a new policy to guide evaluation of large, privately initiated developments that would require a change to the county General Plan.

Staff from the county’s Community Development Agency presented a draft policy to the Board of Supervisors at a special workshop on June 27.

The new policy would require an “initiation” hearing before the Board of Supervisors for projects that increase the density of residential development beyond what is currently allowed in the General Plan. The initiation hearing provides an early opportunity for public discussion, and an upfront determination on whether a development application is worthy of additional consideration.

“Many people do not realize that the county is required by law to process and analyze development applications despite support or controversy in the community,” said senior planner Shawna Purvines. “However, planning law does allow the county to make an early determination as to an application’s consistency with major goals and policies of the General Plan.”

Major issues under consideration include whether the policy should apply to all projects requiring a change to the General Plan in addition to residential, and whether the policy should apply to pending projects. Thirteen projects have been submitted to the county which add a combined total of approximately 6,000 new residential units.

The Board of Supervisors directed staff to make the policy available for public comment for 30 days. The public is encouraged to submit comments by Aug. 2. A final decision is expected sometime in September.

Additional information and a copy of the proposed policy is available at: edcgov.us/Planning. Comments should be sent to Shawna Purvines at [email protected], or 2850 Fairlane Court, Placerville 95667.